5 REASONS TO PRIORITIZE STRENGTH TRAINING IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR BODY, ENHANCE YOUR EFFICIENCY, AND OPTIMIZE YOUR LIFE.

1. IT'S LIKE FINDING THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Brings Back Lost Muscle Tissue

Do you ever wonder why as people age, they tend to put on body fat? Sometimes they may even weigh the same as they did in high school, but look different. This is because as we age (if we don’t have a regular strength training program), we lose muscle.

It’s like that old saying “If you don’t use it, you lose it. “

This loss of muscle tissue makes the body less efficient and makes it easier to put on body fat.

Helps You Move Better and Decreases Risk of Injury

Not only does strength training affect the look of your body, but it's function as well. Regular strength training improves balance, coordination, posture, and this can decrease the of injury.

It's Never Too Late

The good news is, even if you are a middle aged or older person who has lost a lot of muscle, you can still get it back by performing a regular strength training program.

Your muscles don’t know your age.

2. MAKES LOSING BODY FAT EASIER

This is Not Just About Calories. It's About Optimizing Hormones.

During your strength training session, your body produces many different hormones such as growth hormone to free up stored body fat to be used for energy. After your workout, your body continues this process while your broken down tissues are healing.

*Breaking down muscle tissue is the goal of strength training because as tissues repair themselves, they become stronger.

So, not only are you burning calories while you're strength training to contribute to fat loss, you're optimizing your body's ability to release fat from the stores and USE it for fuel.

If fat loss was JUST about calories, the type of exercise and amount you choose wouldn't matter.

But, it does matter.

3. MAKES KEEPING BODY FAT OFF WAY EASIER

It's Like Creating Passive Income

The effect that increased lean muscle tissue has on long-term fat loss is the best part. It’s like creating passive income for yourself.

This extra muscle tissue that you acquire over time WORKS FOR YOU!

Not only do you burn more calories at rest (because muscle is a more metabolically active tissue than fat), but because of the way muscle tissue interacts with hormones, more of the carbohydrates that you eat can get stored into the muscle tissue versus the fat stores.

The more muscle you have, the higher capacityyou have to store carbohydrate in your muscle. Which means...

You Have More Wiggle Room With Food

I mean, who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies?

Well, when you strength train regularly, and acquire more lean muscle mass, you will find that those occasional cookies will have a lot less of an effect on your body fat levels.

And of course, the more muscle you have, the more this holds true. It makes maintaining your new body fat level way easier!

4. MAKES YOUR WHOLE LIFE EASIER

Since you're now stronger, when you have to lift anything, move anything, go up stairs, or walk up a hill it's way easier.

You will notice such a difference in these activities that it will feel like you are cheating life.

It all becomes so easy.

5. CHANGES THE SHAPE OF YOUR BODY

If you're looking to change the shape of your body, and get that toned look, you won't get that from the cardio machines.

That comes from strength training.

DOES THIS MEAN DON'T DO OTHER TYPES OF EXERCISE?

ABSOLUTLEY NOT

Every Type of Exercise Has It's Purpose

Just because you strength train doesn't mean that cardiovascular exercise doesn't have it's place. They're both different and cardiovascular exercise is great for burning extra calories, heart health, and overall optimal function of the body.

WHAT IF YOU HATE STRENGTH TRAINING?

TRY OTHER FORMS OF RESISTANCE TRAINING

Strength Focused Yoga

Yoga or Pilates

If the intense strength specific yogas aren't your thing, than other forms of yoga or pilates would be best. These aren't going to have the same exact effect because they don't break down as much muscle tissue, but they're still a form of resistance training.

And remember, you don't want to hate what you're doing.

If you hate strength training, body weight strength training, and strength focused yoga, regular yoga or pilates would be YOUR best thing!

ANY EXERCISE IS BETTER THAN NOTHING

If you truly hate all the options above then just do some kind of exercise and make that a priority.

Understand you won't get all the benefits listed above, but anything that you can make a habit, and do consistently is what's going to be best for you.

Learn how to Strength Train at Brainy Betties!

If you think strength training is the best fit for you, but don't know where to start, know that this is part of what I do at Brainy Betties in Coxsackie.

Brainy Betties is part small group fitness training for women, along with an educational program to help make you Fit AND Happy for the rest of your life.

Or as a I call it...Living the F.A.B. Life.

Every session has 5 women or less. So, you are getting the personalized attention you need, but for a fraction of the cost of one-on-one personal training.

Want to learn how you can be fit and happy by living the f.a.b Life??!!